A kahuna, healer, spiritual and cultural leader, chanter, loea kumu hula, and composer, Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett is renowned for his beautiful mele, many based on Hawaiian ancestral lore and spiritual teachings. This gorgeous, hypnotic song invokes the Hawaiian creation story, underlined by a refrain which calls to the “Child of the Night” (and of the present day), implicitly urging her to carry forward the teachings of the kūpuna. Jim takes the lead in telling the story, while Paula weaves in the refrain.

Kamali‘i O Ka PōWritten by Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett‘Auhea wale, ‘oe kamali‘i o ka pōEia ho‘i au, kamali‘i o ke aoWākea ka lani, papa ka honuaNo ka luna kō luna, no ka lalo kō laloWhere are you child of the night (darkness)Here I come, child of the light (enlightenment)The sky father is up, the earth mother is belowWhat belongs up is up, what belongs down is down(Everything has a place and an order; don’t confuse it, don’t fight it)‘Auhea wale, ‘oe kamali‘i o ka pōEia ho‘i au, kamali‘i o ke aoKō ke akua, ha‘i ‘āmioKō Lihau‘ula, ha‘i kupuaWhere are you child of the night (darkness)Here I come, child of the light (enlightenment)Our ancient gods spoke to man(the kahuna, ordained by God took messages to people)(1st enlightened kahuna was Lihau‘ula who spoke to the gods on behalf of the people)‘Auhea wale, ‘oe kamali‘i o ka pōEia ho‘i au, kamali‘i o ke aoHo‘ohōkūkalani ka wahineHāloa ke kalo, Hāloa ke kanakaWhere are you child of the night (darkness)Here I come, child of the light (enlightenment)Ho‘ohōkūkalani the royal mother (the woman who birthed two sons)Gave birth to Hāloa the kalo (who died at birth) then to Hāloa, the man (mankind)‘Auhea wale, ‘oe kamali‘i o ka pōEia ho‘i au, kamali‘i o ke aoAia iā ‘oe, ka pauku i waenaAia i hea ka po‘oAia i hea ka hi‘uWhere are you child of the night (darkness)Here I come, child of the light (enlightenment)Here is the present (Remember where you came from; honor the decisions of the past)Here is the head (where did you come from)Here is the tail (Where will you go ?